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Friday, March 29, 2024

McNulty’s ‘Rail Value for Money Study’

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A study into the value for money of the rail industry has been released today.

The report, commissioned by the government, was written by former Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Sir Roy McNulty and is set to trigger a reform of the UK’s railway.

The study reviews the current fare system and states that savings of £1bn per year need to be made by 2018.

The report states that the UK’s rail costs should be 20-30% lower when compared with countries such as France, but this will require a ‘very substantial programme of change.’

The ‘increased demand for travel’ could see double the current level of traffic by 2030.

McNulty suggests that changes in fare regulation need to encourage ‘relatively less travel during peak times’ and more travel during off-peak services, meaning ticket prices could rise on some services and fall on others.

The current fares structure has not changed ‘since privatisation of the railways in the mid 1990’s, despite the fact the market has changed considerably.’

The report suggests that other cost saving measures should include having less staff on trains and using ticket machines instead of manned ticket desks at stations.

A new industry leadership group called the Rail Delivery Group has been formed today following the report to focus on delivering a higher performing, cost effective and sustainable rail network.

The full report can be read here.

12 COMMENTS

  1. mmmm.why are all these muppets who do these reports etc always called lord or sir.probably knows nothing about the railway.

  2. If Duplex Trains had been considered with the costs of changing the Bridges and Tunnels 20 years ago when the SRA  Dft and RFG could have evaluated the projected inreases in both Passenger and Freight  numbers this would have put the UK in a better stronger position TODAY . Instead they have increased length of trians and stations only to find the Frieght Heights have increased which leads to the same infasturucture problems and needed changes. I attempted to take to Network Rail electronic equipment for the ERTMS that could be manufactured in the UK not a chance, They wait for it to be delivered from Europe. There is no joined up programme it just changes direction with politics and public demand. Its not about Railways its the big picture of governmetns failure  look at the NHS. Its about leadership and recongnising with skill and foresight what is good for the Nation. The Mcnutty report gave nothing but the obviuos, make it cheaper to travel off peak hours? We need to reduce costs of maintenance. W YES  Thats easy they have wasted so much in recent years and spent so much in replacy new track and poorly maintained track because they did not realise the inportance of WRI and Track Grinding. They ask for ideas you give them example  Shock Absorbers that generate electric on trains and frieght  Levant. You may as well right it on a piece of paper and send it to Santa Clause. Sorry but I ve been lobbying for Twenty Years trying to obtain referal credibility that accidents would have been prevented. My conclusion its the Railway industry and governments it needs leadeship that will look to the future we are always playing catchup that will never get there it as no plans only costs. Costs that have limited this countries to not meet demand of today and will fail the future needs of the country.
     

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